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Volunteer in community development and help some of the world's most disadvantaged people work their way out of poverty. Help create sustainable futures for generations to come.

Projects
Organisations (11)

African Conservation Experience

Unforgettable conservation volunteering experiences in some of the most beautiful parts of Africa. Sustainable and responsible. Work hands-on with amazing animals, preserving their futures for generations to come.

Go to theAfrican Conservation Experience website

The Photo Shed Academy

The Photo Shed Academy offers a unique opportunity to learn photography, videography and editing techniques to enhance your creative abilities while gaining hands-on experience. You will be taught by accredited and award-winning pro photographers and industry leaders who provide both tutoring and mentorship throughout the programme, ensuring that no matter what your skill level, you will leave with world class technical knowledge.

This career break is ideal for you if you want to improve your skills, for your own pleasure or to start a new career as a photographer or photo journalist.

Go to theThe Photo Shed Academy website

Kaya Responsible Travel

A responsible travel organisation with a focus on genuine and meaningful volunteer projects in Latin America, Asia-Pacific and Africa. Working with existing community projects who have a genuine need for volunteers, every Kaya volunteer is welcomed and is useful. Gold medal winners of “The Best Volunteering Organisation” at the British Youth Travel Awards 2016 and 2014 ( silver in 2015 and 2013).

Go to theKaya Responsible Travel website

L'Arche

Live and work in communities alongside people with and without learning disabilities. L’Arche communities are vibrant places of inclusion and welcome, where you will be transformed by volunteering and living with a diverse range of incredible people. Whether you're from the UK or abroad, you can work in one of 12 communities in the UK ranging from London to the Brecon Beacons, by the sea in West Sussex to the Highlands of Scotland. Wherever you choose, whoever you are, in return for the gifts you'll bring, you will discover a simple and honest joy in the relationships you build with others.

Go to theL'Arche website

Social Starters

_SocialStarters have extensive experience working with volunteers, entrepreneurs and social enterprises across 6 countries - matching skilled volunteers with socially responsible organisations that need their consultancy services. They are experts in international development and social enterprise, and offer training and coaching to career breakers who volunteer with them. They have a 100% recommendation rate from their clients. Projects currently available in the UK and Brazil.

Go to theSocial Starters website

Street Child

Street Child is a grassroots charity that helps children living in some of the toughest places in Africa and South Asia to go to school. They are dedicated to empowering vulnerable children through education and currently have a special focus on girls’ education and education in emergencies. Street Child do not charge volunteers an upfront fee but you will need to fundraise to cover your costs.

Go to theStreet Child website

Projects Abroad

Established for over 30 years, Projects Abroad is a leading provider of responsible volunteering placements across the world. Special placements for people with professional skills and experience.

Go to theProjects Abroad website

Empower Be the Change

Bespoke volunteering placements to help you develop your skills through volunteering in India. A range of options include teaching, empowering women, care, business development and conservation.

Go to theEmpower Be the Change website

BUNAC

BUNAC offers a range of exciting work abroad and volunteer abroad programmes. BUNAC are the work and travel experts and have been helping young people work and volunteer abroad since 1962. Popular gap year destinations include: USA, Canada, New Zealand, Nepal, Australia, Britain, China, South Africa and many more.

Go to theBUNAC website

Globalteer

Affordable, sustainable volunteer placements working with children and animals, making a genuine difference in local communities. UK-registered charity and 100% not-for-profit, so money is invested in helping the projects. Projects with long-term goals in bringing practical and achievable solutions.

Go to theGlobalteer website

Raleigh International

Volunteer programmes focusing on providing access to safe water and sanitation, protecting vulnerable environments and building resilient communities. Borneo, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, India and Tanzania.

Go to theRaleigh International website

Community development volunteering is for you if you're passionate about improving people's lives, and want to work on a project which is sustainable.

It suits people who are motivated, can come up with their own ideas and implement, but who are also able to work as a team. There will be different roles available in the various projects, so you can find one which suits your skills, experience and interests.

What does community development actually mean?

Community development covers quite a wide range of projects and roles. Basically, it means improving a local community (usually poor and/or with other disadvantages) to bring long-term benefits. This could include education, health, sanitation, construction or business.

The projects are determined by the needs of the local community, so they are very varied and can change rapidly. Because locals are involved at all stages, you can be assured that your contribution is wanted, needed and valuable.

What will I do on a community development volunteer project?

Community development covers such a wide range of projects and tasks. Here are some which you could get involved in:

Construction and maintenance, including building, digging, painting and decorating. Well-maintained buildings are essential for schools and businesses.
Sanitation and recycling. Not glamorous but so important! Good sanitation reduces disease and improves school attendance, particularly for teenage girls.
Gardening, farming and conservation. Improving the environment is part of community development. Children and disadvantaged people can benefit enormously from gardening as they are spending time outside, learning, and improving their mental health.
Education. This could be teaching children basic primary subjects, or teaching music, dance, art and drama. You could also teach adults who will benefit from learning various business skills or learning how to manage their resources.
Business - helping particular groups (such as women or social entrepreneurs) start and run businesses. You could also be involved in logistics, administration, communications or project management.
Marketing, fundraising and raising awareness - you could be reaching out to the local community or wider community to help them get involved in the projects. You may also be working with other NGOs or government departments.
Sharing your own experience or skills. If your professional background is relevant to the project you are working on, you may teach your skills (particularly business skills or IT) to others. Many volunteer project don't require experience, but if you want to share your skills, you can be matched to a project which can use them.
Initiating your own projects. If you are motivated and creative, you may spot an opportunity for a new project and on some placements, will be able to implement this.

Who will I be working with?

In short, the local community! Community development projects are never done in isolation - they always involve the needs and opinions of locals (otherwise they won't work!). You'll be working with a variety of local people, including staff who will support and supervise you. You'll also be working with a team of other volunteers, so you have a ready-made group of friends to socialise with in your time off!

Depending on the project and your particular role, you may be working with others in a team most of the time, or you may work largely alone with minimal supervision.

What will I get out of a community development project?

Because there's so much variety in community development projects, you will develop an exceptional range of skills. You'll learn to solve problems creatively, face challenges, motivate others, lead people, work as a team, communicate more effectively with a wide range of people, and so on.

One of the great things about working in a community development project is that you can learn skills that you might not be able to get in your day job, which means you can rise up the career ladder faster on your return. This kind of volunteering is very much a skills exchange - while you are bringing benefits to the community, they are also sharing their knowledge with you.

Community development volunteering is one of the best career breaks you can do, because you will learn so much and give so much!

Click here to see all organisations which can find you a community development volunteering placement.